By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Newman coaches and players take a timeout during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game against Mountain View on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. We regrouped inside. Mountain View won 42-30.
HAZLETON – There were tears in my eyes after Saturday's Class A state quarterfinals. Few thought St. John Neumann would reach the Elite Eight, but the team did.
That's why the end of a historic season is so painful.
But what a season it was. Mountain View rallied from a four-point deficit at halftime to defeat Newman 42-30 in Hazleton and earn the right to play Greenwood in Tuesday's semifinals. The loss stung, but sadness should quickly turn to joy as the Knights (24-5) look back on a year that produced the first league, conference and district championships in program history. Oh yeah, Neumann broke the previous record for wins by six, and his 20 straight wins to reach the quarterfinals surpassed his previous record for total wins by two.
“We told them, no one expected you to be in the position you're in today. No one expected you to leave the district.” Neumann coach Jaden Cioffi said: “They had no faith at all and grabbed every doubter and slapped them in the face. They say we are still relevant and improving.”
They improved so much that they were once again one of the top eight teams in the state and the best team in District 4. That also says a lot, as both 2023 state finalist Lourdes and 2023 district champion Meadowbrook Christian return four starters. Neumann defeated both teams on its way to a historic district championship.
Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Gigi Parlante of St. John Neumann High School, Mountain View, during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. defender tries to block the shot. Mountain View won 42 games. -30.
Despite losing two fourth-year starters and not having a coaching staff until four days before the start of winter practice, Newman left no doubt that his team was the best in program history. Saturday's results do not diminish all of these unprecedented achievements.
“They can't let this game decide their season. They've made a lot of history. There's nothing but pride in each of them.” Cioffi said. “I love all of them as much as I have coached them for the past four years, but it’s only been four months.”
Neumann has had a very memorable four months, making huge strides and not losing to a Class A team until Saturday. The Knights added two more state playoff wins and looked like they could make it to the Final Four after leading 17-13 at halftime.
Mountain View started the second half on a 10-0 run, but Gigi Parlante answered with a drive and Sophie Reed banked a 3-pointer to get back up 22-21. But that would be the last time Neumann would lead, as the District 2 champions won 13 straight games and advanced to the Final Four for the second straight year.
Neumann went into the fourth quarter down by one point thanks to Parlante's runners, but the Knights started the quarter on a 9-0 run and Mountain View heated up to be up by 10 with two minutes left. When hopes of victory faded, Neumann gave one last push and continued the fight.
Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann's Sophia Reed during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinals vs. Mountain View on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. Bring the ball downcourt. Mountain View won 42-30.
A free throw by Lizzie Weller followed by a 3-pointer by Shaniya Tatler brought Newman within 35-29 just 20 seconds later. Parlante's free throw with 1:20 left cut the deficit back to six points, but Mountain View clinched the victory at the final line.
“That's what happens when you lose a basketball game. That's life.” Cioffi said. “There will be some losses in life, but what matters is how you bounce back. I said the bonds you made will last forever. The season is over, but those bonds will never be broken. ”
Parlante capped off perhaps the best season in Neumann women's history with her seventh straight playoff double-double and 21st overall. The senior forward, who topped both her career 1,100 rebounds and 1,000 points, totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and three assists. Weller had nine rebounds, Tatler had seven points, Bre Nixon had five steals and six rebounds, and Reed had four steals.
Just like in last year's quarterfinals, Neumann was doing a lot of things right, but his shots weren't falling. The Knights made just 3 of 21 shots in the second half, but Mountain View heated up from the outside, making 4 of 6 3-pointers. Addison Kilmer, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, also made a big impact on defense, totaling 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks.
Mountain View became the first team to defeat Neumann in a calendar year. The fact that the Knights have had nothing but wins for almost three months is a reminder of just how special this season has been. As the years go by, the team, which has forged such a close relationship on and off the court, will remember those happy days more than this last game.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann's Lizzie Weller, Mountain View, during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. carry the ball past the defender. Mountain View won 42-30.
What a memory that will be.
“I'm glad it's become more than just basketball. There's really a family feel to this team and I'm so glad they bonded.” Cioffi said. “I'm really grateful that they were the first group of girls I coached. I feel like I've been coaching them all four years. I can't thank them enough. Our leaders took the initiative and listened to us. They were committed. They got better every day.”
Neumann (30)
Gigi Parlante 5 1-2 11, Lizzie Weller 1 3-6 5, Niya Tatler 3 0-0 7, Bre Nixon 0 0-0 0, Sophie Reid 2 0-0 5, Callie Johnson 0 0 -0 0. Total 12 4-8 30.
Mountain view (42)
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Brianna Nixon, 14, of St. John Neumann High School, attends a PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game Saturday, March 16, at Hazleton Area High School. Inside, he watches as the shot goes over the head of Addison Kilmer, 21, of Mountain View University. 2024. Mountain View won 42-30.
Addison Kilmer 5 2-2 14, Claire Goetz 3 0-0 9, Aubrey Sanders 1 2-2 4, Riley Kilmer 4 4-5 13, Riley Turner 0 1-2 1, Lily Sedlak 0 1 -2 1. Total 13 10-13 42.
Neumann 10 7 8 5–30
M views 10 3 13 16–42
3-pointers: Neumann 2 (Tatler, Reed); Mountain View 6 (Goetz 3, A. Kilmer 2, R. Kilmer).
Record: Mountain View 23-4. Neumann 24-5.
Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann University's Callie Johnson (center) during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game at Hazleton Area High School on Saturday, March 16, 2024, Mt. Reaching for a loose ball that passed between many players on view.Mountain View won 42-30.
By Ralph Wilson / Sun-Gazette Correspondent Gigi Parlante, 12, of St. John Neumann High School, plays during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinals Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. Addison Kilmer, 21, of Mountain View, looks at the shots around her during the game. View won 42-30.
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann head coach Jaden Cioffi speaks during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game vs. Mountain View on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Hazleton Area High School. Reacts from the sideline during the game. Mountain View won 42-30. .
By Ralph Wilson/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann University's Gigi Parlante heads to the paint as a Mountain View defender blocks, Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Hazleton Area High School. during the PIAA Class A girls basketball quarterfinal game. Mountain view. We won 40-30.
